Madeleine McCann suspect's car found BURNT OUT with 'TALK' scrawled beside it

MISSING: The Madeleine case is currently being investigated by British detectives from the special Scotland Yard team [EPA]

The word “talk” was scrawled next to it.

Police want to explore the theory that whoever set light to the Audi suspected its owner was withholding information about Madeleine.

“For whatever reason the British officers chose not to stay there. Luckily it’s the British taxpayer that is paying for these hotels not the Portuguese ”

Daily Star Portuguese police source

The arson attack happened a year after Madeleine vanished from her parents’ holiday apartment in Portugal in May 2007.

It is why Brit detectives had the man declared an arguido – formal suspect – and spent a day quizzing him earlier this week.

Sniffer dogs examined a vehicle associated with him to try to find out whether it was used to move the youngster’s body.

But they did not pick up any scent, according to Portuguese police sources.

The man is one of 11 pulled in for questioning.

A Portuguese TV channel said the interviews with suspects and witnesses had finished earlier than expected and the Scotland Yard team is set to fly back to the UK later today.

Last night it emerged the 12-strong Met team, led by Det Chief Insp Andy Redwood, has been staying at the five-star Ria Park Hotel & Spa, 24km from Faro police station where the suspects were interviewed.